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Former Buffalo restaurant operator admits tax fraud

The former operator of Shy's Downtown Steak Shop, 397 Jefferson Ave., has pleaded guilty to four felony charges of criminal tax fraud and grand larceny, according to the state Department of Taxation of Finance.

David Hopkins, 28, of Adams Street, admitted in Erie County Court he collected nearly $70,000 in sales tax from customers from 2012 through 2016 but failed to remit the taxes to the state, the agency said.

Hopkins was released on his own recognizance and faces up to one year in jail when he's sentenced Nov. 8. He has agreed to repay the state the full amount of taxes owed and will be assessed a fine after his sentencing, according to the agency.

Aaron Besecker – Aaron Besecker is a breaking news and criminal justice reporter for The Buffalo News. He has been a News staff reporter since 2007.